Packaging structure



Nov. 12, 1963 H. w. LAYNE, SR

PACKAGING STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 15, 1961 Ill/IIIIII' INVENTOR. HAROLD W. LAYNE, SR.

BY KM WM snzzd i/w 4H0 m cys Nov. 12, 1963 H. w. LAYNE, SR 3,110,435

PACKAGING STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 15, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HAROLD W. LAYNE, SR.

BY fmwmrf WM swam/M AHomg/s Nov. 12, 1963 H. w. LAYNE, sR

PACKAGING STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 13, 1961 lid Fig. 11.

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INVENTOR. HAROLD W. LAYN 5,,SR

BY 7 KM [#MMJ/IM United States Patent 0 3,110,435 PACKAGING STRUCTURE Harold W. Layne, 82"., Beech Grove, Ind, assignor to Inland Container Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind, a corporation of Indiana Filed Jan. 13, 1961, Ser. N 82,476 2 Claims. (61. 229-40) This invention relates generally to fibreboard packaging structures and in particular to a packaging structure having features which uniquely adapt it for the packaging of relatively dense, generally rectangular objects such as books or the like. In the discussion and descrip tion following use of the word books is intended to include, Where applicable, other objects having similar characteristics as to density, general configuration, etc.

Since books characteristically have a high weight to volume ratio, their packaging for normal transport or shipment presents several problems. One of these involves ample protection to the corners of the book or article. Since as pointed out above, books are relatively dense, heavy objects, when they are dropped, considerable impact forces are developed. A satisfactory container must therefore be reinforced and strengthened to withstand these abnormally high crushing forces. Conventionally, this problem is met by the use of various inserts or braces. These, however, have the disadvantages of adding to the container cost and of rendering the container unsuitable for set up or assembly and loading by automatic machinery.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a container for packaging books or the like in which the end structure of the container spaces the book a definite distance from the end of the container to thereby provide maximum protection to the corners and ends of the book.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container of the type referred to in which the spacer element positioning the end margins of the book from the container ends are formed from, and integral with, the container blank and thereby permitting set up, loading and closing of the container by automatic machinery.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container of the type referred to in which added strength is provided to the end areas of the container by the wrapping of the outer end flap over the adjacent side panel.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container of the type referred to in which the inner end flaps, which are folded inwardly to space the book from the ends of the container, are provided with cut-away areas to avoid stress concentrations on the flexible binding edges at each end of the book.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container of the type referred to in which the inner end flaps, which are folded inwardly to space the book from the ends of the container, are provided with reinforcing tabs which extend outwardly adjacent the inner faces of the respectively adjacent side panels of the container.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the blank from which a container embodying the present invention :is formed.

FIG. 2 is an end view of a container formed from the biank shown in FIG. 1, with the outer end flap broken away.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a compietely loaded and sealed container set up from the blank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified form of the container shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line 6-5 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating a modified form of the container shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an end View, similar to FIG. 2, of a modified form of the container with an outer end flap broken away.

FIG. 9 is a perspective View of a further modified form of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of the container blank illustrating the presence of a reinforcing tab.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating the set up or formed condition of blank of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of a further modified form of the container blank.

Referring initiairy to FIGS. 1-4, the blank of FIG. 1 includes a bottom panel 1.9 having integral side panels 11 and 12 at each of its side margins. Each of the side panels 11 and 12 have extending from their side margins integral top pane-ls 13 and 14, the top panels each being substantially half the width of the bottom panel 10. The side panels and the face panels, this term referring generically to the bottom panels 10* and the top panels 13 and 14, are defined by longitudinal score lines 16. The top panels 13 and 14 are provided with inner end flap structures indicated generally at 17.

Each of the inner end flaps 17 is transversely scored as indicated at 18 to permit folding of the inner flaps on themselves as will subsequently be described. At the inner side margin of each of the end flaps 17, cut-out areas 19 are provided which intersect a central or base portion 21 of the inner end flaps, the base portion being defined by the parallel score lines 18. The bottom panel 10 is provided with integral outer end flaps indicated generally at 22. The end fiaps 22 are divided into sections 23 and 24 by the transverse score lines 26.

The container is preferably set up and loaded by automatic machinery. The bottom panel 10 is sized so as to conform in width to the width of the book to be packed in the container. In length the bottom panel 10 is sized so as to be longer than the length dimension of the book to accommodate the folded inner end flaps. The bound edge of the book is oriented so as to lie adjacent and parallel to one of the inner score lines 16. The top panels 13 and 14 are brought into edge abutting relation over the bottom panel 1% with the book interposed therebetween. During this operation, the inner end flaps 17 are folded upon themselves so as to provide a configuration which is U-shaped in cross section as illustrated in FIG. 4. The central or base portion 21 of the inner end flaps isrthus spaced inwardly from the end margins of the container and abuts firmly against the end margins of the book, the book enclosed in the container being shown fragmentarily and identified at 27 in FIG. 4. The outer end flaps 22 are then folded over the ends of the container so as to span the bight areas of the folded inner end flaps with the portions 24 overlying the adjacent areas of the top panels 13 and 14. "The portions 24- of the outer end flaps 2.2 are secured to the top panels 13 and 14 preferably by gluing, although other means, such as stitching or tape, might be used. A length of tape indicated at 28 in FIG. 3 may be placed over the abutting marginal areas of the top panels 13 and 14 to seal the container against the entry of dust.

As will be particularly evident in FIG. 2, the cut-out areas 19 in the inner end flaps 17 provide open areas accommodating the flexible binding edges at each end of the book adjacent its bound margin, tear-ing or crushing taken generally of this binding area being thereby prevented. The spacer former by the inner end flaps 17 is formed from and integral with the container blank and thus lends itself to set up by automatic machinery much more readily than would be the case if the spacers were separate inserts. The end structure of the container, particularly the spacers formed by the inner end flaps 17, spaces the contents of the container a definite distance from each container end so as to provide maximum protection to the ends and corners of the book enclosed by the container. Rigidity of the end and corner areas of the container are further assured by the wrapping of the outer end flaps 22 over the top panels so that substantial areas of the outer end flaps, such as the portion 24, overlie the face panel which, in this case is made up of the top panels 13 and 14.

Referring to FIGS. and 6, a modified form of the container will-be described with the parts being identified by reference numerals which are the same as those used to identify their counterparts in the FIGS. 1-4 construction but with the suffix a. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the top panel 14a has substantially the same width dimension as the bottom panel. The side panel 11a carries an integral tab 31 whose end margins are inclined or tapered as indicated at 32. In this construction, the inner end flaps 17a are carried solely by the top panel 14a. In setting up the container, the inner end flaps 17 a are folded upon themselves as shown in FIG. 6 similar to the arrangement with respect to the structure of FIGS. l-4. The tab 31 carried by the side panel 111; is inserted under the top panel 14a as indicated in FIG. 5. It will be understood that, depending upon the height of side panels 11a and 12a, the tab 31 could be inserted under top panel 14a prior to the folding and inserting of the inner end flaps 17a. The outer end flaps 22 are then wrapped around the ends of the container and the areas 24a of the outer end flaps 22a are secured, preferably by gluing to the adjacent surface of the top panel Me. If required, tape may be placed along the line of junction of the side panel 11a and the top panel 14a. The structure just described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 has substantially the same advantages which were pointed out with reference to the structure of FIGS. 1-4.

A modified form of the inner end panel structure will now be described with reference to FIG. 7. Components of the structure of FIG. 7 which have counterparts in the structure of FIGS. 1-4 are given the same reference numeral but with the suflix b. The end flap structure 17b differ-s somewhat from that of the construction of FIGS. 1-4 in that it is scored so that the inner end flaps may be folded upon themselves to provide two reverse folds with the junctional area 36 of the second fold being spaced inwardly of the adjacent end margins of the bottom, side and top panels. It will be understood that cutout areas intersecting the junctional areas 36 may be provided in each of the end flaps 17b, the cut-out areas corresponding to the areas 19 of FIG. 2 and serving to provide apertures at each corner of the book. As in the previously described constructions, the outer end flap structure comprising the portions 23b and 24b are folded across the ends of the container with the portion 24b being secured, preferably by gluing, to the adjacent surface of the top panel 14b.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 a further modified form of the container of the present invention will now be described. In this structure, components having their counter parts in the construction of FIGS. l-4 are given the same reference numerals but with the sufiix c. As may best be seen in FIG. 8, the container there shown has an inner end flap formation and fold which is identical to that of a structure of FIGS. l-4. The flaps and panels of the construction are of substantially larger dimension than the structure of FIGS. l-4, however, the primary difference in this construction over that of FIGS. l-4 resides in the fact that the container of FIGS. 8 and 9 is a prefabricated tube. That is, the top panel 3-9 is rigidly secured by means of a flap (not shown) to one of the side panels or 120. The outer end flaps are positioned as in the constructions previously described with the portions 24c overlying and secured, preferably by gluing, to the adjacent face of the top panel 39. A tear strip 41 may be provided in the panels with a finger-grasp tab 42 cut from the top panel. This tear strip may be utilized in opening the container. The structureof FIGS. 8 and 9 retains the advantages of rigidity and spacing of the container contents from the ends of the container which is inherent in the previously described structures, however, since it is a prefabricated tube, it does not readily lend itself to set up and loading by automatic machinery.

Referring now to FIGS. 10' and 11, a modified form of the structure is disclosed. In these figures, parts having identical counterparts in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals but with the suffix d. In the modified form of the blank the base 21d of the U-shaped fold in each of the inner end panels 17d is extended to provide reinforcing tabs 51, the junction between the tabs 51 and the adjacent base portion 21d being defined by the score line 52.

As may best be seen in FIG. 1'1, when the container is set up or formed, the reinforcing tabs 51 are folded along score line 52 to extend outwardly along the inner faces of the respectively adjacent side panels 12d. The tabs 51 may have a length which permits them to extend to the adjacent end margins of the face panels or may extend only a portion of this distance as shown in FIG. 12. These tabs 31, extending at substantially ninety degrees, with the plane of the base portion 21d, thereby serve to reinforce the base portions of the inner end flaps against collapse under heavy loading.

In FIG. 12 a further modified blank is shown and in this disclosure parts having identical counterparts in FIG. 10 are given the same reference numerals but with the suffix e. The structure of FIG. 12 is identical to that of FIG. 10 except that the cut-out areas 19d are omitted from the inner end flaps. In the structure of FIG. 12 the score line 53 is aligned with the cut forming the side margin of the inner end flaps 17s and the cut-out area 19d of FIG. 10 is thus omitted. The reinforcing tab 54 serves the same function as the tab 51 of FIGS. 10 and 11 and is disposed in the formed container in identical fashion as the tab 51 in FIG. 11. It will'be understood that omission of the cut-out areas results in the absence of the apertures at the end margins of the base portion 21c, this arrangement being satisfactory for enclosing objects other than books wherein no provision need be made for protection of flexible binding edges.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims are also desired to be protected.

The invention claimed:

1. A container for enclosing relatively dense, generally rectangular objects such as books or the like comprising a bottom panel having an integral side panel at each of its side margins, a top panel integral with one of said side panels and extending from the side margin thereof remote from said bottom panel, said top panel having an integral end flap extending from each end margin thereof, said top panel having a score line provided therein adjacent each end margin thereof, each end flap of said top panel having a pair of spaced score lines in the central portion thereof and folded thereupon to define between said score lines a base portion connected at said score lines to a pair of reverse folds, said end flaps of the top panel being folded on said first mentioned score lines to position said 5 reverse folds in spaced parallel relation to one surface of the top panel and the base portion in a plane normal to said surface of the top panel and intermediate the end margins of said top panel, said end flaps of the top panel being provided at their inner side margins with cut-out areas which intersect the pair of spaced score lines defining said base portion, said container when formed havin the top panel disposed in spaced overlying relation with said bottom panel with said end flaps of the top panel terminating the space enclosed by the container short of the end margins of the container, the free margins of said top panel and the other of said side panels being joined and secured together, said bottom panel having integral end flaps extending from its end margins, said bottom panel end flaps being Wrapped over the ends of said container so as to span the bight areas of said folded end flaps of said top panel and to overlie at least a substantial portion of said top panel including said base and o reverse folds of the end flaps of the top panel, said container having the overlying portion of the end flaps of said bottom panel secured to said top panel.

2. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein the free margin of the other side panel is provided with a tab that is secured to said top panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,039,026 Carter Sept. 17, 1912 2,095,991 Gagen June 25, 1935 2,526,052 Stimrnel Oct. 17, 1950 2,591,882 Shirley Apr. 8, 1952 2,675,165 Roshkind Apr. 13, 1954 2,684,758 Aquino July 27, 1954 2,840,294 Davis June 24, 1958 2,885,842 Boitel May 12, 1959 

1. A CONTAINER FOR ENCLOSING RELATIVELY DENSE, GENERALLY RECTANGULAR OBJECTS SUCH AS BOOKS OR THE LIKE COMPRISING A BOTTOM PANEL HAVING AN INTEGRAL SIDE PANEL AT EACH OF ITS SIDE MARGINS, A TOP PANEL INTEGRAL WITH ONE OF SAID SIDE PANELS AND EXTENDING FROM THE SIDE MARGIN THEREOF REMOTE FROM SAID BOTTOM PANEL, SAID TOP PANEL HAVING AN INTEGRAL END FLAP EXTENDING FROM EACH END MARGIN THEREOF, SAID TOP PANEL HAVING A SCORE LINE PROVIDED THEREIN ADJACENT EACH END MARGIN THEREOF, EACH END FLAP OF SAID TOP PANEL HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED SCORE LINES IN THE CENTRAL PORTION THEREOF AND FOLDED THEREUPON TO DEFINE BETWEEN SAID SCORE LINES A BASE PORTION CONNECTED AT SAID SCORE LINES TO A PAIR OF REVERSE FOLDS, SAID END FLAPS OF THE TOP PANEL BEING FOLDED ON SAID FIRST MENTIONED SCORE LINES TO POSITION SAID REVERSE FOLDS IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATION TO ONE SURFACE OF THE TOP PANEL AND THE BASE PORTION IN A PLANE NORMAL TO SAID SURFACE OF THE TOP PANEL AND INTERMEDIATE THE END MARGINS OF SAID TOP PANEL, SAID END FLAPS OF THE TOP PANEL BEING PROVIDED AT THEIR INNER SIDE MARGINS WITH CUT-OUT AREAS WHICH INTERSECT THE PAIR OF SPACED SCORE LINES DEFINING SAID BASE PORTION, SAID CONTAINER WHEN FORMED HAVING THE TOP PANEL DISPOSED IN SPACED OVERLYING RELATION WITH SAID BOTTOM PANEL WITH SAID END FLAPS OF THE TOP PANEL TERMINATING THE SPACE ENCLOSED BY THE CONTAINER SHORT OF THE END MARGINS OF THE CONTAINER, THE FREE MARGINS OF SAID TOP PANEL AND THE OTHER OF SAID SIDE PANELS BEING JOINED AND SECURED TOGETHER, SAID BOTTOM PANEL HAVING INTEGRAL END FLAPS EXTENDING FROM ITS END MARGINS, SAID BOTTOM PANEL END FLAPS BEING WRAPPED OVER THE ENDS OF SAID CONTAINER SO AS TO SPAN THE BIGHT AREAS OF SAID FOLDED END FLAPS OF SAID TOP PANEL AND TO OVERLIE AT LEAST A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF SAID TOP PANEL INCLUDING SAID BASE AND REVERSE FOLDS OF THE END FLAPS OF THE TOP PANEL, SAID CONTAINER HAVING THE OVERLYING PORTION OF THE END FLAPS OF SAID BOTTOM PANEL SECURED TO SAID TOP PANEL. 